Pittsburgh, February 18, 2025 -- Two University of Pittsburgh Department of Neurological Surgery neurotrauma researchers—Pravat Mandal, PhD, research assistant professor of neurological surgery and former director-in-charge of the National Brain Research Center in India, and Ava Puccio, RN, PhD, associate professor of neurological surgery and co-director of the University of Pittsburgh Neurotrauma Clinical Trials Center—have been awarded grants from the Chuck Noll Foundation for Brain Injury Research totaling $400,000.
Dr. Mandal’s team received a $300,000 grant to examine whether an oral supplement of glutathione (GSH), a brain antioxidant, can repair the brain and other tissues from oxidative damage, perhaps lowering the incidence of neurodegenerative diseases.
Cellular oxidative stress is believed to be the universal root cause of chronic disease, degenerative conditions and reduced human longevity. Dr. Pravat has shown, using a non-invasive MRI, that glutathione is significantly reduced in brain conditions, like Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s disease and traumatic brain injury.
A low level of GSH is a biomarker for those diseases noted Joseph Maroon, MD, Heindl Scholar at the University of Pittsburgh, a national science advisory committee member with the foundation and a primary consultant on Dr. Mandal's grant. Dr. Maroon added that it’s believed multiple subconcussive blows can lead to degeneration—also known as chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE)—due to a deficiency of GSH.
The study will involve former National Football League players and former Navy SEALs. Dr. Maroon said Dr. Mandal’s project could have huge implications for the treatment of CTE.
Other consultants on the study include Merril Hodge, former Pittsburgh Steeler; Eric Potterat, former chief psychologist for the Navy Seals; and Natalie Sherry, PsyD, ABPP-CN, neuropsychologist with the Department of Neurological Surgery
Dr. Puccio received a $100,000 grant to continue her work on the development and validation of sweat as a biomarker biofluid for repetitive chronic and single acute traumatic brain injury. This study will incorporate innovative methodologies to evaluate neurodegenerative and inflammatory proteins and combine novel metabolomic panels associated with TBI pathophysiology in sweat samples.
The study will feature two distinct cohorts: 1) Division III NCAA collegiate athletes involved in a contact sport, and 2) acute emergency room evaluated concussive patients presenting with isolated TBI at UPMC.
“It is a very unique bio marker that could have a very large impact on concussion management, if shown to be effective," commented Dr. Maroon.
The Puccio and Mandal awards are two of five grants totaling $675,000 funded by the Chuck Noll Foundation in its 2024-25 cycle. The foundation was formed in 2016 from a grant from the NFL’s Pittsburgh Steelers to help fund research focusing on the diagnosis and treatment of brain injuries, particularly those related to concussions and other sports-related brain trauma. The foundation was named after the Steeler’s legendary Pro Football Hall of Fame coach, a strong advocate of player safety who pushed for a better understanding of concussions. It has provided $4 million in grants since its inception.